Polish MPs on adopted a controversial media law seen by critics as an attempt by the right-wing populist government to silence the US-owned independent news channel TVN24.

The government says the law, which was adopted by a majority in the lower house, will protect Poland’s media landscape from potentially hostile actors such as Russia.

The law will prevent companies from outside the European Economic Area from holding a controlling stake in Polish media companies.

That would force US group Discovery to sell its majority stake in TVN, one of Poland’s biggest private TV networks. TVN24 is its news channel.

“The United States is extremely disappointed by today’s passage of the media bill,” its charge d’affaires in Warsaw, Bix Aliu, said on Twitter.

He then called on President Andrzej Duda to veto the bill, as it requires his signature to become law.

“We expect President Duda to act in accordance with previous statements to use his leadership to protect free speech and business,” Aliu said.

Discovery released its own statement condemning the draft law.

“The outcome of today’s surprise vote in the Polish Parliament should alarm any enterprise investing in Poland and anyone who cares about democracy and freedom of the press,” it said.

“Through this vote, Poland undermines the values that have connected Poland with Europe, and uproots the foundation of the Polish-American relationship,” the company added.

“We now appeal to the President of the Republic of Poland, Andrzej Duda, to keep his word and veto this legislation.”

The law was passed with 228 votes in favour and 219 against.

That decision overrules a September vote against the media law in the upper-house Senate, where the opposition has a majority.

The law was initially approved by the lower house in August.

The United States at the time said it was “deeply troubled” by the law and warned about its potential impact on press freedom in Poland and the business climate for foreign investors.

The right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) party already controls TVP public television, which has become a government mouthpiece, and much of the regional press.

Since the PiS was elected to power in 2015, Poland has dropped 46 places in Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index to reach the 64th position.

Reporters Without Borders, a Paris-based media rights group, has also criticised the media ownership law.

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